Stock Market savvy, financial expert… nope! Congress member Anand Srinivasan in a video published in his YouTube Channel ‘Makkal Pechu’ has made several misleading and factually incorrect statements regarding Operation Sindoor, India’s counter-terror strike in response to the Pahalgam massacre. His remarks not only misrepresent the government’s actions but also echo Pakistan’s propaganda. Here’s a breakdown of his claims and why they are wrong.
Claim: “Why did India call Pakistan 10 minutes before the strike? You don’t warn your enemy before attacking!”
Truth: No such “warning” was given. Operation Sindoor was a surgical strike on terror camps, not a declaration of war. India followed international protocols by limiting the strike to terrorist targets, avoiding military escalation. After the operation, India informed Pakistan via diplomatic channels that the strikes were limited to terror infrastructure (not military targets) and that India had no intention of further escalation.
By doing so, India made it clear this was not an act of war but a counter-terror operation.
Srinivasan keeps going back and forth about this – at times he claims India warned Pakistan before the attack and then says India informed after the attack.
Claim: “But what does the Geneva Convention say? You should inform them of the war before you go.”
Truth: This is factually incorrect. The Geneva Conventions govern humanitarian treatment of civilians and prisoners during war, not the requirement to notify an enemy before launching a military strike. There is no legal obligation under international law to notify the opposing side before a limited strike, particularly in asymmetric warfare or counterterrorism operations. Srinivasan’s claim implies India violated war protocols, when in fact, pre-strike notifications would be militarily absurd and strategically self-defeating.
Claim: “Pakistan used the information you gave to the Chinese, you gave your location, up to the satellite location, and the Chinese hit 5 planes.”
Truth: This is a serious and unfounded accusation. Srinivasan claims that China provided satellite data that led to the downing of an Indian aircraft, without offering a shred of evidence. No government or credible news outlet has confirmed such an occurrence nor did any of our assets get damaged – as confirmed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the Parliament yesterday. The claim irresponsibly fuels public paranoia about collusion without verifiable proof.
Claim: “Israel first destroys radars before striking Iran. Why didn’t India do the same?”
Truth: Israel-Iran dynamics ≠ India-Pakistan. Israel faces state-sponsored Iranian proxies; India was targeting non-state terror groups (LeT/TRF). India’s goal was measured, precise and non-escalatory – destroying terror infrastructure without provoking full-scale war. Attacking Pakistan’s air defenses would have triggered a wider conflict, which was not the objective. Advocating for direct military confrontation with Pakistan ignores India’s calibrated, successful strategy of deterrence without war.
Claim: “All the hands of those involved in the war, namely Operation Sindoor, were tied behind their backs.”
Truth: This is a repetition of a politically motivated narrative, not a verified fact. Military officials and defense ministry briefings have repeatedly stated that operational autonomy was granted during Operation Sindoor. Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over constraints, but Srinivasan treats this as established fact, without examining contradictory official statements.
Claim: “Five planes have fallen.”
Truth: All through the episode, Srinivasan keeps repeating this lie that was peddled by POTUS Donald Trump amplifying Pakistani propaganda. As mentioned, Defence Minister confirmed that India did not lose or was there any damage to any important asset. If there were, why are there no media reports on wreckage?
Claim: “China gave Pakistan satellite data to track Indian jets. Why didn’t India anticipate this?”
Truth: Zero evidence supports this claim. No Indian jets were lost in Operation Sindoor. India’s strikes were swift and precise, with no reported aircraft losses. If Srinivasan has proof, he should present it – otherwise, this is pure speculation aiding anti-India propaganda. Simply citing his leader Rahul Gandhi over and over again does not become proof.
Claim: “Modi spoke to JD Vance before the ceasefire. Was the US dictating terms? Why did you not speak to Trump? Manmohan Singh spoke to Bush; Vajpayee spoke to Clinton after the war. “
Truth: Diplomatic talks ≠ surrender. India has always engaged with global stakeholders during crises (e.g., Vajpayee-Clinton during Kargil). It was not a ceasefire, but a temporary pause, was based on India’s terms – Pakistan was forced to beg India to stop the retaliation after Indian missiles nearly hit the nuclear bases and had decimated the Pakistani airbases. No evidence suggests Trump “pressured” India. Trump has been trumpeting his “peace” theory everywhere, does not make it the truth.
Claim: “You hit Pakistan first.”
Truth: India hit terror bases in Pakistan as a retaliation for Pahalgam terror attack. Following this, Pakistan launched drone attacks across the length of the border which was successfully shielded by our robust air defence system. India retaliated every time and did not hit Pakistan first any time. He falsely compares Kargil war to Operation Sindoor.
Claim: “Pakistan DGMO said their army is positioned at specific vector position ready to attack us, – Pakistan DGMO told Indian DGMO. If China didnt give the satellite images, how did the Pakistani DGMO know this?”
Truth: It is not clear what Srinivasan is referring to. In general, using open-source technology, anyone will know the approximate location of armed forces bases. There is no necessity for any specific satellite information for this. Also, there is no record of such a conversation available in public domain.
Claim: “Do you remember Jaishankar did not get invitation to Trump’s inauguration? He was waiting for a long time to get one. We ultimately did not get one.”
Truth: On 12 January 2025, it was announced that EAM S Jaishankar was invited to represent India at Trump’s inauguration, and he was given the front row seat.
Claim: “In 2008, after the attack, Shivraj Patil, the then-Home Minister resigned. Did Rajnath Singh take responsibility? Did Amit Shah take responsibility? Why didn’t they resign?”
Truth: While demanding accountability is legitimate, Srinivasan uses it inconsistently. He implies only BJP ministers must resign, ignoring that such resignations are rare across party lines unless under extreme pressure. He also omits context about wartime unity, national morale, and the complexity of resignations during active operations. If someone resigns, it is not easy to get a replacement, a competent one at that to carry on the work done by the predecessor. Is it not enough to exact revenge and put things in place, rather than resign like a coward?
Claim: “America sent 7th fleet (during 1971 war), did Indira Gandhi run away like a coward? Did she not go and meet Nixon and threaten him in Washington?”
Truth: Well, yes she begged USA like a coward. Srinivasan might want to read the letter she sent to Nixon. In her 5 December 1971 letter to US President Richard Nixon, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi reported that Pakistan had launched a large-scale, premeditated air and ground attack across India’s western border. She described the grave danger facing India and framed the war as a result of Pakistan’s military aggression following the Bangladesh liberation movement. Declaring a state of emergency, she emphasized India’s right to defend its sovereignty and democratic ideals. Gandhi urged Nixon to use his influence to persuade Pakistan to halt its aggression and address the root cause of the conflict—the humanitarian crisis in East Bengal. You can read more here.
Claim: “In 2008, they shot down all the terrorists and caught one alive. He was also given death sentence. Now you have killed 3 people and saying they are the terrorists. What is the proof? Will you accept if I did the same?”
Truth: For starters, in 2008, it was by the supreme sacrifice of Tukaram Omble that Ajmal Kasab, who wore the Hindu kalava, was caught alive, that we knew that Pakistan was behind the 26/11 terror attack. The then-Home Minister and the Congress supporters then started peddling the “Hindu terror” lie. Coming back to 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the proof that helped determine who the eliminated terrorists were. Why does Srinivasan want more proof? Why is he following his senior leaders in giving a clean chit to Pakistan?
Claim: “How did the terrorists come inside 250 km into India?”
Truth: To answer Srinivasan – with the help of what they call “over ground workers”! The terrorists neutralized in Operation Mahadev were seen to be well fed, having surplus ration and everything else. Now Srinivasan, go figure.
Claim: “Now why are you playing a match in Asia Cup?”
Truth: Yes, it is a fact that India was playing against Pakistan in the upcoming series. But sources say that India is withdrawing from the series.
It seems that Srinivasan does not have the patience to listen to the EAM S Jaishankar, HM Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh nor the Prime Minister Modi himself. Despite them having answered all his questions, he keeps parroting them to make himself feel relevant. And he fails big time.
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